Feasts and Holy Convocations of the Sanctuary

God's Church Identified

"God Church Triumphant"

Feasts and Holy Convocations of the Sanctuary

The Gift of Prophecy in The Sanctuary
God's Church Identified

A sequel on the sermon "The Feasts of the Sanctuary" presented on the
18th March 2000.

The Acts of the Apostles pg. 9-12

The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10.

Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declarations what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law is linked with His throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph over all opposition.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

This is the reason for the very existence of God's Church, back in the days of Israel, in the time of the disciples, and in our time today.

God's Church can be divided in 4 different generations:

I. The Hebrew Church
II. The Early Christian Church
III. The End Time Church
IV. The Church in the New Jerusalem

In the Hebrew Church, the Early Christian Church and the Remnant Church the Sanctuary and the Gift of Prophecy played a very important role. Let us look more closely at these 4 Church-Generations.

I. The Hebrew Church

The Church of The Outer Courts

Gen. 12:1-3. This was God's promise to Abraham.

The patriarchs used to worship God in their own families.
About 1500 BC God lead the descendants of these Patriarchs out of Egypt. The descendants of these patriarchs, better known as the people of Israel, were the members of this Church, the Hebrew Church.

At the mount Sinai God personally organized this Church:
a. He gave them The Law. (Ex. 20)
b. He gave them Judgments and Ordinances (Ex. 21-23)
c. Israel promised that they would keep the covenant they made with God (Ex. 24)
d. God instructed them to build The Sanctuary (Ex. 25-30)
e. God gave them the "Gifts" needed to support this Church (Ex. 31, Numb. 12)
f. God gave them a Mission (Ex. 19:5,6)

After The Hebrew Church was organized, God manifested His prescense in the camp. Exodus 40

But this Church failed to fulfill its mission.

1. Instead of living in accordance with the Law, they mingled themselves with the heathen people around them, and soon many began worshiping Baal (which is Sun Worship). They forgot the Sabbath, which was a sign between them and God (Ex. 31:12-17)

2. They Lost sight of the truths that were contained in The Sanctuary. In the End instead of looking for Jesus, who would free them from sin, they looked for somebody who could free them from the oppression of the Romans. Jesus came unto His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11)

3. God sent His Prophets to Israel, to lead them back to God, but Israel did not listen to them. Examples: 1 Kings 18 1-4 (Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah)

They persecuted the true prophets of God, and listened to "other" false prophets. Amos 7:10-15; Micah 2:6-11

Read Amos 5:21-24, Hosea 4:1-14

If Israel would listen to the Prophets send by God (2 Chron. 20:20), and understand The Sanctuary (Ps. 77:13), they would have never rejected God.

Evangelism. Pg. 221,222.

The subject of the Sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise, it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill.

II. The Early Christian Church

The Church of The Holy Place

While Jesus was still on earth, Jesus laid the foundation of the Early Christian Church, the Church of the Holy Place.

1. The first step in organizing The Early Christian Church was taken when Jesus ordained the 12 disciples. Marc 3:14. Jesus also affirmed this when He instituted the Last Supper. Matth. 26:26-29

2. After Jesus was crucified and buried, He rose up on the first day of the week. His resurrection was the anti-type of the Feast of First Fruit. Jesus promised to His disciples The Comforter, The Holy Spirit, who would lead them into the truth, and show them the things to come. John 16:7-15

3. On Pentecost (the anti-type of the Feast of Weeks) God manifested Himself in this Church. Acts 2. In this God gave The Earl Christian Church the "Gifts" needed to build and edify this Church.

4. God gave the Hebrew Church also a mission. Matth. 28:18-20. 1 Peter 2:9,10

5. This Church was build on the same foundation as the Hebrew Church was. Matth. 5:17,18; Rom 3:31

The Hebrew Church didn't follow Jesus as he entered into the Holy Place.
The Early Christian Church (a remnant of the Hebrew Church) followed Jesus into the Holy Place, as they proclaimed that Jesus, the crucified and resurrected, was the Son of God. Rom. 8:1,2

Just as the "man of sin" revealed himself in the Hebrew Church, he revealed himself in the Christian Church

1. 2 Thess. 2:3-10. Paul warns the church that the "man of sin" will soon manifest himself

2. Dan 7:8; 8:9-12. Jesus "daily" ministry in the Outer Court and the Holy Place was taken away. The true religion was substituted
by the power of the little horn for a false one.

3. This power would not only take away the "daily sacrifice" in the Outer Court and the Holy Place, but would also manifest Himself in the Most Holy Place. Dan. 7:25. This power changed the "sabbath", the 4th commandment, to Sunday.

4. Other abominations made their way into the church:
· Baptism by sprinkling
· Worship of Mary
· Priests can forgive sins
· Immortality of the soul
· Spiritism (living speaking with the dead)

Galatians 1:8,9; 2 Tim. 3:16

If they had held on to the gospel preached by God's prophets and Apostles, and kept focused on the ministry of Jesus in the Holy Place, they would have never rejected God.

Soon The Reformation started here in Europe. People like Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Huss, broke with the apostate church and started showing the errors of this fallen church. As the Bible was translated in the language of the people, more light was shed in the minds of the people. More and more the errors of this fallen church were revealed to the people, as they studied the Word of God themselves. As prophecy foretold, the little horn power would reign for 1260 years (538-1798) Then this power received its "deadly wound".

III. The End Time Church

The Church of The Most Holy Place

Soon after The Message of Dan 8:14 was proclaimed :"2300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed".
Just as the Feast of Trumpets was 10 days before the Atonement Day, 10 years before Christ went into the Most Holy Place, the world was warned through this prophecy. (William Miller 1833-1844)
In 1844 Christ left the Holy Place and went into the most Holy Place.
Many expected Jesus to return on the clouds of heaven, but they were disappointed. As 22 october 1844 past, and Jesus didn't come back, the faith of many were shattered.
But a remnant of this group kept their faith. And soon after they learned that Jesus wouldn't return to earth, but ended his ministry in the Holy Place, and started His ministry in the Most Holy Place.

This remnant group formed the End Time Church.

1. They discovered the truth of the Sanctuary in Heaven.
2. They discovered the truth of God's Law.
3. This Church had a special mission to accomplish (Rev. 14:6-12)
4. God gave "Gifts" to this Church to build and edify it. (1 Cor. 1:4-9)
5. The faith of the End Time Church was founded on the knowledge of the Law of God and the Ministry of Jesus Christ in The Sanctuary (the Most Holy Place)

But history repeats itself. In every Church there were people who were unfaithful to God.
· Hebrew Church => Korach, Datan, and Abiram
· Early Christian Church => Annanias and Saphira
· In the End Time Church apostasy will manifest itself.

The "little horn power" will be healed of His "deadly wound". (Rev. 13:12)

But a remnant, the 144.000 will remain faithfull to God. (Rev. 14:12; 12:17; 19:10) These are they that will be part of the Church in the New Jerusalem.

IV. The Church in the New Jerusalem

The Church in Heaven

The members of the Church in The New Jerusalem will be all whose names are written in the book of Life. (Rev. 21)

1. They are gathered from every tongue, nation and people. (Rev. 7:9-12)
2. The members of this Church will see God's face (Rev. 22:1-7)
3. They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with
4. Him a thousand years." Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, "the saints shall judge the world." 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body.

Great Controversy pg. 677,678
I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."
Revelation 21:22. The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and
the Son. "Now we see through a glass, darkly."
1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence and behold the glory of His countenance. There the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together "the whole family in heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15)--these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed.

There, immortal minds will contemplate with never-failing delight the wonders of creative
power, the mysteries of redeeming love. There will be no cruel, deceiving foe to tempt to
forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The
acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest
enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions
realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to
comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body.

All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's redeemed. Unfettered by
mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar--worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the
spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With
unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings.
They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in
contemplation of God's handiwork. With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of
creation--suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne
of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator's name is written, and in all
are the riches of His power displayed.
And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of
God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness
increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As
Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great
controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with
more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and
thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.

The Gift of Prophecy in the Sanctuary
"God Church Triumphant"

A Sequel on the sermon "God's Church Identified" presented on the 8th April 2000

Introduction

The Acts of The Apostles pg 9-15
The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory … But the people of Israel lost sight of their high privileges as God's representatives. They forgot God and failed to fulfill their holy mission …They robbed God of the service He required of them, and they robbed their fellow men of religious guidance and a holy example …. Priests and rulers became fixed in a rut of ceremonialism. They were satisfied with a legal religion, and it was impossible for them to give to others the living truths of heaven.

The Priest in the Sanctuary

Lev. 6:14-18; 25-29
Lev. 7:8-10

One of the important lessons of the sacrificial system was to teach the PRIEST AND PEOPLE abhorrence from sin. God intended this abhorrence for sin to be so great that man would "go and sin no more". These services were intended to teach man God's holiness, his own sinfulness, and the way of God.

But beautiful and impressive as this service was, it was capable of perversion. If the sinner should conceive the idea that his offering paid for the sin that he had commited and that if he only brought an offering every time he sinned all would be well, he had an entirely wrong conception of God's intent. Many of the priests encouraged the people in this attitude.

As the remuneration of the priests in large part was derived from the sacrifices offered by the people, they came to look upon the sacrifices as a means of income to them. In addition to the tithes they received, the priests retained a part of most of the sacrifices offered. They also received part of the meal offerings and peace offerings - flour, oil, corn, wine, honey, and salt - as well as offerings for special occations. So these priests went so far as to encourage the people to sin.

I Sam. 2:12-17; 22-25
Lev. 10:1-11 (read Isaiah 28:7,8)

The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Two, page 13, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: The First Advent of Christ
"The priesthood had become so corrupt that the priests had no scruples in engaging in the most dishonest and criminal acts to accomplish their designs. Those who assumed the office of high priest prior to, and at, the time of Christ's first advent, were not men divinely appointed to the sacred work. They had eagerly aspired to the office through love of power and show. They desired a position where they could have authority, and practice fraud under a garb of piety, and thereby escape detection. The high priest held a position of power and importance. He was not only Counselor and Mediator, but Judge; and there was no appeal from his decision …. Men of corrupt hearts sought the distinguished office of high priest, and frequently obtained it by bribery and assassination."

Result of corruption of the Temple Services:
ð Disregard of the Sabbath (Neh. 13:15)
ð Confederacies with heathen nations (2 Kings 16)
ð Misuse of tithe and other means (Neh. 13)
ð Unfaithful and unholy priests (Lev. 10; 1 Sam 2)
ð Abuse of Authority! (John 9)
ð Worship of God and Mammon (2 Kings 17:24-41)

This was still happening even in the New Testament (The Early Christian Church) Read Acts 19.

God sents His Prophets

Identifying marks of a true prophet
ð Speaks "to the law and to the testimony" (Isaiah 8:20)
ð What he or she predicts will come to pass (Deut. 18:22; Jer. 28:9)
ð Confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3)
ð Teach the people to keep the commandments of God (Deut. 13:1-4)
ð Prophets must live like a Christian should (Mat 7:16-20)
ð A prophet will speak what God instructs him to speak (1 Kings 22:14)

The prophets were God's mouthpiece. The people may go wrong, and the priests may go wrong. God, however, is not left without a witness. Under such circumstances He sends a prophet to His people to bring them back to the right way. Read 1 Sam 15:22

The prophets were not popular with the priests. As the priests served in the temple from day to day, inviting the people to bring their sacrifices, the prophets would call the people to repentance and "sin no more".

This meant a decrease of income to the priests and they didn't like that. (read the story of Mica in 1 Kings 22 and Micah 7:10-13)
ð Jer. 7:1-4 (Jeremiah warning the people to bring no more offerings)
ð Isa. 1:11-15 (God will not accept the people's sacrifices)
ð Amos 5:21-26 (The served God, Moloch and Chiun at the same time)

Specific Messages of the prophets to God's people

THE HEBREW CHURCH

The true prophets of God also warned the people of Israel for false prophets:
Micah 2:5-7,11; Hosea 4:1-19

Even Jesus warned the religious leaders of Jerusalem while ministering on earth.
Matth. 23.

Selected Messages Book 1, page 388, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: Christ the Center of the Message
A legal religion has been thought quite the correct religion for this time. But it is a mistake. The rebuke of Christ to the Pharisees is applicable to those who have lost from the heart their first love. A cold, legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. When fastings and prayers are practiced in a self-justifying spirit, they are abominable to God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposed sacrifice-- all proclaim to the world the testimony that the doer of these things considers himself righteous. These things call attention to the observer of rigorous duties, saying, This man is entitled to heaven. But it is all a deception. Works will not buy for us an entrance into heaven. The one great Offering that has been made is ample for all who will believe. The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life ….. Look up to God, look not to men. God is your heavenly Father who is willing patiently to bear with your infirmities, and to forgive and heal them. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Read Revelation 2 and 3

Revelation 2:1-7

"THOU HAS LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE"

The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the Saviour. Those who do not possess this desire give evidence that they have lost their first love; they should closely examine their own hearts in the light of God's word, and earnestly seek a fresh baptism of the Spirit of Christ; they should pray for a deeper comprehension of that wondrous love which Jesus manifested for us in leaving the realms of glory and coming to a fallen world to save the perishing. 5T 385-386

Revelation 2:8-11

"THEM WHICH SAY ARE JEWS … ARE THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN"

I saw a very large company professing the name of Christ, but God did not recognize them as His. He had no pleasure in them. Satan seemed to assume a religious character and was very willing that the people should think they were Christians. He was even anxious that they should believe in Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Satan and his angels fully believe all this themselves, and tremble. But if this faith does not provoke to good works, and lead those who profess it to imitate the self-denying life of Christ, Satan is not disturbed; for they merely assume the Christian name, while their hearts are still carnal, and he can use them in his service even better than if they made no profession. EW 227

THE END TIME CHURCH

Maranatha, page 30, paragraph 4
Study … for history will be repeated. . . . We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know.

Read Revelation 2:14-22

This is the testimony borne concerning the church at Laodicea. This church had been faithfully instructed. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis." Much excellent labor was bestowed upon the Laodicean church. To them was given the exhortation, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." But the church did not follow up the work begun by God's messengers. They heard, but they failed to appropriate the truth to themselves, and to carry out the instruction given them. The result that followed is the result always sure to follow the rejection of the Lord's warnings and entreaties. " Manuscript Releases Volume Sixteen, page 12, paragraph 2

But a remnant did not loose their faith in God. Who are they ? Read Zeph 3:11-13

"But in Judah there dwelt some who maintained their allegiance to Jehovah, steadfastly refusing to be led into idolatry. It was to these that Isaiah and Micah and their associates looked in hope as they surveyed the ruin wrought during the last years of Ahaz. Their sanctuary was closed, but the faithful ones were assured: "God is with us." Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary." Isaiah 8:10, 13, 14. " Prophets and Kings pg. 328

These are The Remnants, the ones who Keep the Commandments of God, have the Faith of Jesus Christ, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ (=Spirit of Prophecy)
Rev 12:17; 14:12

Loma Linda Messages, page 33, paragraph 1
"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper." Isa. 8:20. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this work, it is because there is no light in them." Two texts are here set before God's people: two conditions for success. The law spoken by Jehovah himself, and the spirit of prophecy, are the two sources of wisdom to guide His people in every experience. Deut. 4:6. "This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, who shall say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." The law of God and the Spirit of Prophecy go hand in hand to guide and counsel the church, and whenever the church has recognized this by obeying His law, the spirit of prophecy has been sent to guide her in the way of truth.
Rev. 12:17. "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This prophecy points out clearly that the remnant church will acknowledge God in His law and will have the prophetic gift. Obedience to the law of God, and the spirit of prophecy has always distinguished the true people of God, and the test is usually given on present manifestations.

2 PETER 1:19
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

2 PETER 3:17,18
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Purposes of the Visions and the Testimonies

What They Are Not :

1. Not "an addition to the Word of God."--5T, p. 663.

2. "Not to give new light."--5T, p. 665.

3. "Not for a new rule of faith."--Experience and Views, p. 64, (EW 78).

What They Are:

1. "For the comfort of His people."--Experience and Views, p. 64, (EW 78). "To encourage the desponding and fainting soul. --RH, Jan. 10, 1856, (Messenger to the Remnant, p. 53).

2. "To correct those who err from Bible truth."--Experience and Views, p. 64, (EW 78). "To correct and reprove the erring. --RH, Jan. 10, 1856, (Messenger, p. 53) .

3. "To bring the minds of His people to His Word."--5T, p. 663. "God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given."--5T, p. 665. "To impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed."--5T, p. 565.

4. To instruct concerning God's will.--5T, p. 661.

5. To instruct concerning "the course that He would have them pursue."--5T, p. 661.

6. "To call" attention to Bible "principles for the formation of correct habits of living."--5T, pp. 663, 664.

7. To clarify "Man's duty to God and to his fellow men."--5T 665. "To awaken them to their duty."--5T, p. 665.

8. "To specify what is truth. "--EGW Letter 117, 1910. (Messenger, p. 82) . "When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth."--Selected Messages, Bk. 1, p. 161.

9. "To confirm the faith of my people in the position they have taken. --RH, July 18,
1907, (SM, Bk. 1, p. 41).
,
10. To bring unity into the church causing God's people to "see eye to eye and be of the same mind."--3T, p. 361.

SPECIFIC SPIRIT OF PROPHECY STATEMENTS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TODAY

ABUSE OF AUTHORITY

Last Day Events, page 53, paragraph 3 Chapter Title: God's Last Day Church
Now I want to say, God has not put any kingly power in our ranks to control this or that branch of the work. The work has been greatly restricted by the efforts to control it in every line. There must be a renovation, a reorganization; a power and strength must be brought into the committees that are necessary

Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 23, 1895, paragraph 1 Article Title: The Great Need of the Holy Spirit (Concluded)
God has not appointed any man guide, nor made any man conscience for another; therefore let human hands be withheld from restraining his servants who feel the burden to enter his vineyard to labor. Let God work with his own chosen agents by his Holy Spirit. No human being is to sit in judgment upon his brother. Neither are any to feel that they can handle roughly the precious pearls for which Christ gave his life. The pearl, the precious human pearl, was found by Christ. Let man be warned; be careful how you treat the Lord's "peculiar treasure." All discourtesy, all pain, all neglect, which these souls suffer at your hands, is charged against you as inflicted upon Jesus Christ. They are not to be treated in a lordly, commanding manner. Laws and rules are being made at the centers of the work that will soon be broken into atoms. Men are not to dictate. It is not for those in places of authority to employ all their powers to sustain some, while others are cast down, ignored, forsaken, and left to perish. But it is the duty of the leaders to lend a helping hand to all who are in need. Let each work in the line which God may indicate to him by his Holy Spirit. The soul is accountable to God alone. Who can say how many avenues of light have been closed by arrangements which the Lord has not advised nor instituted? The Lord does not ask permission of those in responsible positions when he wishes to use certain ones as his agents for the promulgation of truth. But he will use whom he will use. He will pass by men who have not followed his counsel, men who feel capable and sufficient to work in their own wisdom; and he will use others who are thought by these supposedly wise ones to be wholly incompetent. Many who have some talent think that they are necessary to the cause of God. Let them beware lest they stretch themselves beyond their measure, and the Lord shall leave them to their own ways, to be filled with their own doings. None are to exercise their human authority to bind minds and souls of their fellow-men. They are not to devise and put in practice methods and plans to bring every individual under their jurisdiction.

MISUSE OF MEANS (TITHES AND OFFERINGS)

Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 261, paragraph 3 Chapter Title: Great Distress Coming
There are fearful woes for those who preach the truth, but are not sanctified by it, and also for those who consent to receive and maintain the unsanctified to minister to them in word and doctrine. I am alarmed for the people of God who profess to believe solemn, important truth, for I know that many of them are not converted nor sanctified through it. Men can hear and acknowledge the whole truth, and yet know nothing of the power of Godliness. All who preach the truth will not themselves be saved by it. Said the angel: "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord."
Testimonies for the Church Volume Three, page 553, paragraph 2 Chapter Title: Industry in the Ministry
It would be poor policy to support from the treasury of God those who really mar and injure His work, and who are constantly lowering the standard of Christianity.

Sabbath School Worker Jan 3, 1905
Today, as in the days of Malachi, there are ministers who labor, not because they dare not do otherwise, not because the woe is upon them, but for the wages they are to receive. It is entirely wrong to hire every errand that is done for the lord. The treasury of the Lord has been drained by those who have been only an injury to the cause. If ministers give themselves wholly to the work of God, and devote all their energies to building up His cause, they will have no lack.

CONFEDERACIES
Manuscript Releases Volume Four, page 87, paragraph 2 Chapter Title: Materials Relating to SDA Institutions, Confederacies, and Labor Unions
The wicked are being bound up in bundles, bound up in trusts, in unions, in confederacies. Let us have nothing to do with these organizations. God is our ruler, our governor, and He calls us to come out from the world and be separate. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." If we refuse to do this, if we continue to link up with the world, and to look at every matter from a worldly standpoint, we shall become like the world. When worldly policy and worldly ideas govern our transactions, we cannot stand on the high and holy platform of eternal truth.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Manuscript Releases Volume Nineteen, page 242, paragraph 3
The so-called Christian world is to be the theater of great and decisive actions. Men in authority will enact laws controlling the conscience, after the example of the papacy. Babylon will make all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Every nation will be involved. Of this time John the Revelator declares : [Rev. 18:3-7, quoted]. "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful" [Rev. 17:13, 14] ..There will be a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces. "And shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanism. In the warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to God's people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue; for in the Sabbath commandment the great Law-giver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Satan tempted Christ with bribes, promising that if He would worship him, He should have the kingdoms of the world. .. Likewise, in the last great issue between Christ's followers and the powers of darkness, Satan offers his bribes to men and women… In the place of the bribes he offered Christ, Satan comes to God's people in this age of the world with the laws of nations in his hands, declaring: "I now have matters arranged. You must worship me, or else your rights of protection from the world will be withdrawn from you." By many, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is made void, being treated as a thing of naught; while the spurious sabbath, the child of the papacy, is exalted. In the place of God's laws, are elevated the laws of the man of sin--laws that are to be received and regarded as the wonderful golden image of Nebuchadnezzar was by the Babylonians.

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

In Heavenly Places, page 341, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: Day of Triumph
We are rapidly approaching the end of this earth's history; and as we realize that Jesus is indeed coming soon, we shall be aroused to labor as never before. . . . We are to raise the banner on which is inscribed, "The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Obedience to God's law is the great issue. Let it not be put out of sight. . . . The Lord desires to see the work of proclaiming the third angel's message carried forward with increasing efficiency. As He has worked in all ages to give victories to His people, so in this age He longs to carry to a triumphant fulfillment His purposes for His church. He bids His believing saints to advance unitedly, going from strength to greater strength, from faith to increased assurance and confidence in the truth and righteousness of His cause. We are to stand firm as a rock to the principles of the Word of God, remembering that God is with us to give us strength to meet each new experience. Let us ever maintain in our lives the principles of righteousness. . . . We are to hold as very sacred the faith that has been substantiated by the instruction and approval of the Spirit of God from our earliest experience until the present time. We are to cherish as very precious the work that the Lord has been carrying forward through His commandment-keeping people, and which, through the power of His grace, will grow stronger and more efficient as time advances. The enemy is seeking to becloud the discernment of God's people and to weaken their efficiency, but if they will labor as the Spirit of God shall direct, He will open doors of opportunity before them for the work of building up the old waste places. Their experience will be one of constant growth, until the Lord shall descend from heaven with power and great glory to set His seal of final triumph upon His faithful ones.